Is Self-employment a Key to Surviving PTSD?

Most veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) continue to work and have productive lives, but some suffer from work environments, surrounded by their triggers. These triggers severely limit their employment possibilities. Whether it’s crowds, loud noises, or certain people, some veterans struggle to have a career after their military service. PTSD is something many spouses, children, employers, and families do not understand. It might be in the best interest of the veterans and their families to consider having their own business allowing them to control their environment, thus controlling their PTSD symptoms.  

While working with veterans I noticed how often Vietnam veterans decided to become entrepreneurs and start their own businesses. It was obvious to me that veterans with PTSD became self-employed because they needed to control their environment. Often PTSD symptoms cause stress to the veteran so they opted to not enter a 9 to 5 job and become self-employed. One veteran noted that he struggled being around other people because of his triggers and was in his best interest to be in control his environment and provide a good life for himself and his family.

All types of businesses can allow veterans to control their work area or environment if their self-employed. These veterans who decide to be self-employed have everything it takes to become successful. In the military, everyone's trained to have discipline, leadership skills, and how to make do with what they have. These skills can work well owning your own business. Veterans have a habit of making things happen when others feel they can't. I remember the old saying we had in the military “I have done so much with so little for so long I can now do anything with absolutely nothing”. In theatre and at home making do with what you have is a way of life and a skill that works when you are your own boss. This can give military veterans an upper hand when it comes to creating their own business.

One of the biggest keys to becoming your own boss when you have PTSD is the ability to hire people to do the tasks your PTSD prevents you from doing. If crowds bother you, you can hire someone to do your marketing. If you don't like going to events needed for your business, you can hire someone to do that also. If you struggle with customer service you can hire someone to do customer service. If you feel like you need to be in control of your environment you can set up your business to be PTSD friendly for you creating a safe environment you can function successfully in. There are so many benefits to having your own business and being in control of your environment, particularly when you suffer from PTSD.

One of the things I see growth for veterans is in online business. There are so many opportunities on-line where a veteran can work from home and control their environment. This gives them the freedom to control everything they need to be successful, most importantly their surroundings. Where the newer generation of veteran has an upper hand on the Vietnam era veterans is the ability to utilize computers. Most older veterans are not computer savvy enough to create an on-line business. Most of today's veterans have been raised with a computer and know the ins and outs of how to utilize social media to market their business to help their business thrive.

I challenge veterans who suffer from PTSD to start their own business if they are struggling to find or maintain a job. Being self-employed is a way for the veteran and their family to use all the skills they have learned during their time in the military to become successful. By utilizing the perseverance and can-do attitude taught in the military you can become a successful entrepreneur. By owning your own business, you can control your life and triggers that surround your PTSD. Don't let people say you can't do something because of your PTSD. If nothing else prove them wrong and become successful in your own endeavors. If you need you can utilize some of the government agencies who offer loans and grants for veterans to start their businesses. Put yourself out there and become the person you've always wanted to be by becoming your own boss. Don’t let PTSD control your life, use it as a catalyst to own your own business.

For questions or comments, I can be reached at bo@afterdutyvets.com or visit our website at afterdutyvets.com.